The First Christian Church of Sterling values and appreciates the children and youth of our church.  Their innocence and their smiles energize us, and we know that it is part of our Christian responsibility to nurture and guide them in the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our Youth Director and Youth Committee plan special activities just for children and youth.  Our Membership and Evangelism Committee plans activities for the whole family.

Christian Youth Fellowship -- CYF is open to sixth graders through seniors in high school.  Sometimes we separate the junior high and high school kids for age-appropriate activities.  In general, CYF meets twice a month -- once for Bible study and how it relates to teenagers today;  once a month for a lively activity, including some of those listed on this page.

Sunday School --  We have Sunday School classes for all ages – kids and adults – every Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.

Children's Moment --  A brief moment is set aside during regular morning worship to call all the kids up front, sit on the steps with the Youth Director, and hear one of God's lessons.

Children's Worship Service --  Grade-school age kids may wish to go from Children's Moment to attend their own worship service in the Children's Chapel.  The Youth Director conducts a regular worship service while instructing about the various parts of the service.  The Bible songs are more lively and written especially for children.

Nursery --  During morning worship, we have a supervised nursery for the youngest children whose parents might like to concentrate on worship.

Vacation Bible School --  For one week every summer, we sponsor a vacation Bible School for pre-schoolers through fifth graders.  Each evening includes a lesson, music, craft project, play time, and a snack.  Friday night is a family night picnic.

Christmas Play --  The children perform a Christmas pageant during morning worship each year during this most special time of the year.

Christmas Children's Choir --   All grade school kids are invited to participate.  They practice several times leading up to the Christmas season, and then perform several times.

Plum Hollow Youth Lock-In --  Each year on the Sunday night before Martin Luther King Monday, we invite the Jr. High and High School youth of several area churches to join us at Plum Hollow for an all-nighter – no sleeping – of all the Plum Hollow activities and lots of snacks.  We take busses, and advance registration is required.  Around 200 youth typically attend.  

Summit --  Every other year, the youth of the Disciples of Christ Christian Churches in Illinois and Wisconsin get together for a religious retreat, sharing with youth from many other churches.

Six Flags Great America --   In past years we have organized a family field trip to Great America.  We haven't exactly declared it an annual event yet, but it's starting to look that way.